The House of Lords will today begin its inquiry into driverless vehicles and their future on UK roads. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hear evidence from government officials and academics. The deployment of driverless vehicles, also known as autonomous vehicles, on UK roads raises many questions from who would be legally responsible in the case of accident. The … [Read more...]
Makers, dealers and society must face issue of robo-cars
There are long term implications for the automotive industry and suppliers with the advent of driverless cars, says a new report by Moody’s Investors Service. The report entitled “Autonomous Vehicles Will Drive Change from Auto Manufacturing to Insurance”, looks at the potential impacts of autonomous driving in a number of areas. While the widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles in … [Read more...]
Green light for UK road tests of computer-controlled cars
Driverless or autonomously controlled cars will be allowed to be tested on UK roads. The Government also aims to remove regulatory barriers so that driverless cars can be used on British roads within the current parliamentary term, the UK Treasury said. Trials will be held on local roads this year, with test drives allowed on motorways and strategic roads for the first time in 2017. "At a … [Read more...]
Society and underwriters must change attitudes towards driverless cars
The rise of autonomous and semi-autonomous cars will change the nature of car ownership and challenge the motor insurance market to develop new business models, according to the Lloyd’s Market Association. Speaking at an LMA event at Lloyd’s of London, David Powell, the LMA’s non-marine manager, outlined how advances in vehicle technology will result in reduced private car ownership, major … [Read more...]
Technology could lead to leasing revolution, says Glass’s
The arrival of autonomous vehicles may completely revolutionise the present car ownership model, says Glass's. There are a variety of likely developments but it is possible that manufacturers will retain ownership of the vehicle throughout its life and lease it either to individuals or consortiums in localised urban areas. Rupert Pontin, head of valuations at the motor trade bible, said: "In … [Read more...]
Older drivers worry most about new technology on roads and in cars
Older drivers need to be helped to stay safe on the roads for as long as possible through a combination of training and technology, according to the AA Charitable Trust. Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust and Visiting Professor of Transport at Newcastle University, will today address the subject at the Transport Matters Event at Newcastle University to an audience of academics and … [Read more...]
Worries expressed over driverless cars
The AA acknowledges that the Select Committee report Motoring of the Future poses many pertinent questions about the future of motoring but the AA maintains that neither the report nor Government yet has the vision to answer those questions. Edmund King, AA president, said, “The report rightly points to potential problems of a transition period on the roads. There is a potential nightmare … [Read more...]
Automated cars are coming to a road near you, sometime
by Ross Travers With 2014 presenting us with futuristic concepts that threaten to transform the way we drive, driverless cars and wearable tech are major talking points at the moment. It all sounds like something from Back to the Future, but the reality is that these incredible gadgets are beginning to creep into everyday life. As the first driverless car hits UK roads - official tests … [Read more...]
Motorway changes danger to users, says AA
AA analysis of potential driver behaviour on new all-lane-running motorways with no hard shoulders, but spaced refuge areas shows that around 10% of drivers would seek to take advantage of an empty first lane – even if it was closed to prevent an accident. Despite ‘red X’ signs telling them to stay out of the lane, 3% would continue in the closed lane until they saw an incident ahead and 3% … [Read more...]